IMPORTANT: I redid my chapter a little and now have a new chapter 1. Also I finally edited this chapter. I have an idea for the next chapter so it shouldn't be to long before I put it up, I am so sorry about how long it is taking.
Chapter 4
There were two sets of halls throughout the palace. The main hall, which most people used, and the small hall in the rear of the rooms, which the servants used. It was a tight space; only two people could walk abreast through it. And the walls, ceiling, and floor were in desperate need of care. In many places there were holes in the dirt floor, just waiting to twist an unsuspecting victim's ankle. The wall had cracks big enough to fit a balled fist through, and the ceiling leaked in several places. Gweneida used this hall more than the main hall
It was a safe road for her to take when she needed to escape the confines of the castle. Right then, Gweneida needed it more than usual. She had suffered through an hour of etiquette lessons, of which she knew by heart, had worked on embroidering a pillow until her hand cramped, and worst of all, had eaten dinner with Faenach and King Alexander. The time with Faenach she could have tolerated, for she did so often, but Alexander's flirting, coupled with Faenach's none so subtle attempts to bring his attention back to her, nearly drove Gweneida mad. She left as soon as it was polite to do so.
Now Gweneida walked down the small hall. Her destination were the stables, were she planned to get her horse for a ride. She began to hurry with anticipation. In her rush she forgot to be weary when she reached a branch in the hallway (it was her habit to check for unwanted visitors). Before she could step into the right hall, a hand shot out and grabbed her arm.
The arm pulled her toward its owner. Her captor stood in the shadow of the wall, so she was unable to see his face. However she was able to feel the hand that held her was strong, but smooth. There was not one callus that marred it. A sinking feeling came to Gweneida's stomach. Too shocked to protest, she stared in mute horror. "There you are, beautiful. I have been looking everywhere for you." This was said in a low husky voice, so close to her ear that she could feel his breath, and smell the wine that marred it. She was able to place the voice immediately, and it confirmed her sinking feeling. The voice belonged to Alexander.
"I am honored that you find me beautiful, sir, and worthwhile to look for, but I must insist that you unhand me," Gweneida said, with enough ice in her voice to freeze. In the past, her cool superior attitude had stopped unwanted attention. Gweneida hoped that it would work again.
Alexander chuckled. But instead of doing as she wished, he pulled her closer. Every muscle in Gweneida's body tensed, prepared for danger. "But dearest, we only just met, I've been holding you for less than a minute."
"Indeed sir, but it is quite inappropriate for you to be doing so."
"Oh, but if feels so appropriate from where I stand." Alexander replied as he pulled her closer still. Then, to Gweneida's horror he bent down to kiss her. Reacting instinctively, she pushed him back with all her strength. He fell back just enough for her to step away. Not looking behind her, Gweneida ran down the hallway.
Gweneida dashed from hallway to hallway. Not once did she hesitate before turning. The only noises she heard were her gasping breath, and the pounding of her feet.
When she ran out of breath, she collapsed on to the ground. For several minutes she breathed in ragged breaths and tried to relax. Once she had calmed down enough to think straight, she realized that she had gotten lost in the maze of corridors. Although she knew much of the castle, she rarely went so deep into within the corridors. Dreading what she would see, she looked up and saw that she was a few feet from her destination, the stables. Too relieved to ponder the oddness of this situation, she jumped up and darted to her horse's stall.
Snow Flake was the most beautiful horse in the stall. He was pure white. Even his hooves were white. And he stood out like a beacon in the room full of black, brown, and gray horses.
Basil had gotten him for Gweneida as a present years ago. He had been browsing the fair for hours and found naught worth buying. Then he arrived at a small section, where a seller that was new to the trade was showing his horses. None of the horses caught his eye, except for a small white one. Basil took a liking to him, even though he was not large enough to carry an armored man, or strong enough to pull a cart. Instead he got him for his daughter's upcoming fifth birthday, for she was as white as the horse and as lovely. Snow Flake, as he named the horse, turned out to be the only beloved present that Gweneida's father had given her.
***
Gweneida clung to Snow Flake's neck breathing in his earthy scent. After doing so for several minutes she calmed down enough to saddle him and lead him out of the stall. Under the watchful eye of the servants, she rode sidesaddle at a leisurely pace.
At the forest edge she swung her left leg over the saddle, and clicked her tongue for Snow Flake to trot. Luckily the skirt she wore was very full, so she was able to ride astride. They rode through the dense woods with an effortlessness that came from years of practice. Gweneida loved to get out of her stifling home into the fresh air. For many years she had felt more at home in the deep wilderness. She found comfort in the silence, and tall black trees. Now that snow was starting to flurry once again, she felt even more at ease.
Most people thought the woods were most beautiful in spring, but she considered it loveliest during the winter. The icicles hung from the tree branches, and reflected the light more than the purest diamond. Snowflakes floated down from the sky to rest on the ground. During the cold months, Gweneida spent hours outside. Faenach objected at first, but soon found nothing could keep her disobedient stepdaughter from the snow-covered forest. She ended the resistance, declaring that if Gweneida wanted to freeze to death, it was fine with her. Little did she know that Gweneida could not freeze. Or get cold. Ever.
Never in her sixteen years had Gweneida experienced cold. She could stand outside for hours in the winter, and be unaffected. Sometimes she wondered what cold felt like, but she never found out. Therefore her time outside in the winter was unhindered by the cold, making it all the more enjoyable.
Gweneida took a turn at the large oak tree, deciding to go visit one of her favorite spots, a small clearing that would be covered in Blanches; small, white, fragrant flowers, at this time of year. At the opening in the trees she took in a deep breath, savoring the scent of the blooms. When she opened her eyes, she was struck dumb.
There, not ten feet away from her, was the most terrifying beast she had ever seen. It was a gray wolf. And this was not an ordinary gray wolf, towering over her at a height of eight or nine feet. His mouth was open, revealing large and undoubtedly sharp canines. For a moment outside of time, Gweneida stared into the yellow eyes of the predator. Too scared to react. Too scared to think.
If Snow Flake had not reacted when she did, then both the horse, and the rider would have been dead. With practiced agility, the horse turned and sprinted at full speed away from the wolf. Never before had Snow Flake run so fast. She was out of Gweneida's control. All Gweneida could do was hold on to the reins and pray for her life. Soon the streaks of black that were the trees blurred together into an infinite black tunnel. Snow Flake's hooves seemed to not touch the ground, but skimmed over it instead.
Only once did Snow Flake stumble. When a rabbit ran in front of her path he had to veer to the left and the sharp movement nearly caused Gweneida to fall off. For several heartbeats, Gweneida thought that it was over, that the wolf would catch them, but then Snow Flake regained her footing.
Gweneida could hear the Wolf running behind them. She was too scared to look behind her to see, scared that the motion would slow her horse's action. For every thump of Snow Flake's hooves there was a thud from the Wolf. No matter how unnaturally fast the horse ran, the wolf would run faster. Soon it would be upon her, and then she would not stand a chance. It was a shame, she thought a little wildly, that I never had the courage to give Faenach the set down she deserved.
Just then Snow Flake stopped dead in his tracks, almost throwing Gweneida over his neck with the sudden motion. There before her was Sir Brendan, mounted on a large brown horse. Gweneida blinked dumbly at him, not processing what she saw. With a jerk she realized that the wolf was still behind her. "The wolf! He's coming!" she cried and swung her head around. Behind her there was no sign of the wolf. He had disappeared. "He was there a moment ago, I swear it!"
Brendan nodded and seemed to believe her. "What did he look like?" he asked
"He was huge! Bigger than my horse. It was a gray wolf. He chased me from the Blache field. I don't know where he came from," stammered out Gweneida, aware of Brendan's penetrating look.
"I am not surprised. There are many unusual animals in the forest. It is a relief that you were unharmed. Let me escort you back to your home, Princess."
"That is quite all right. I ride in the forest often. I need no escort, and it would be impolite of me to make you go out of your way to take me home." Gweneida answered, retreating into her cold shell.
"No, I am headed toward the castle anyway."
"Oh? And for what business?" asked Gweneida, wary that he had come to visit the castle solely to court her.
"I have some business what your father," Brendan replied.
"What sort of business?"
"Mostly land. I need more land for my peasants, your father is going to give me some forest land to clear for farms."
Gweneida was surprised that Brendan had answered her. Most men, when questioned by a woman on business matters, would say 'it is none of your concern, dearest' and change the subject. She was both impressed and pleased. "Usually I have my brother handle such matters; he is far better at doing such things, but I found that I was eager for some new scenery." He continued.
"Isn't this an odd time of year to be travelling?" asked Gweneida. It was too close to winter for travel to be safe. Especially so far north. The roads got icy, and at night the air was below freezing.
Brendan shrugged. "I suppose so. But I find that the risk is well worth the rewards. The land is so beautiful here when it turns cold. I love how everything is so crisp and clean. My land isn't far south from here, but for some reason it never gets as cold. If it wasn't for fear of frostbite, I would stay out here for hours."
Gweneida chuckled in agreement, well aware of the temptation of the winter forest. They walked in silence after that, both enjoying the other's company, as well as admiring their surroundings. Sooner that she though possible, they were back at the castle. With a sigh of regret she resumed riding sidesaddle again. Gweneida cast a glance at Brendan, curious how he would react. He raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
She tilted her chin up proudly and answered his unvoiced question, "I think that riding sidesaddle is ridiculous. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it also makes any gait faster than a walk impossible."
"I agree, Princess. You merely surprised me. You have my full sympathy, and I can assure you that your little secret is safe with me." Gweneida gaped at him, unable to respond to his unexpected attitude. Every other male she had met had thought the idea of a woman riding astride was repulsive. Before she could recover and respond, they had come to the stable. Sir Brendan dismounted easily and held his hand out to help her down. She accepted it and descended just as gracefully as he.
"I hope that we can ride together in the future, Princess. And maybe next time you can join me willingly, instead of in necessity."
"I would like that," Gweneida replied, and to her surprise, realized that she would. would.